History of CAPED

On October 8, 1974 the California Association of Postsecondary Educators of the Disabled was founded by the adoption of By-Laws and promoting professional development, and the advancement of postsecondary educational opportunities for students with disabilities. CAPED would later modify our name to the California Association for Postsecondary Education and Disability. Our mission and purpose would remain unchanged.

The founding of CAPED followed three years of federally funded (Education Professions Development Act) workshops designed to train California Community College personnel on how to work effectively with students with disabilities. In April of 1975, with a membership of 86, CAPED was formally incorporated by the State of California as the first non-profit, professional organization of post- secondary educators of students with disabilities in the nation.

During the early years the Association attempted to respond to a multitude of diverse interests and needs across all of California’s segments of post-secondary education through the establishment of CAPED Interest Groups (CIGS) and a burgeoning number of special committees and task forces – the most recent of which deals with the returning veteran who, perhaps unknowingly, is newly disabled.

CAPED has further evolved in recent years through the addition of staff for fund-development and asset management. We also have tools such as monthly – or immediate if the cause merits – digital updates regarding the organization’s activities and information of general interest to those involved with students with disabilities at post-secondary institutions across the state.

We hope that our website will help us illustrate why CAPED is viewed as the pre-eminent organization for faculty, staff, managers and students in all of California’s institutions of postsecondary education. Please join us in our efforts to provide the highest level of professional excellence for our students.